Fall is in the Air

Autumn officially began one week ago today, and signs of the season are everywhere, filling the senses. The dogwoods are turning red, maples changing to brilliant orange, and the mountainsides are spashed with golden tamaracs. Along the creek, the cottonwoods are also turning gold. Their leaves dance and sing in a chilly breeze that coaxes them from the safety of the treetops, and they flutter gently to the ground, littering the trail. The newly dropped leaves crunch under my feet and there is a strong earthy smell to the rotting debris.

There is a definate morning chill in the air. Even though we are having daytime temps of 70+ degrees and I'm still leaving windows open at night, I wake up to interior temperatures of 48 - 53. No problem for me however, being half polar bear and all. Besides, it's somewhat reminiscent of camping weather, and for me that's a comforting feeling.

Many signs point to it being a long, cold winter; the deer came down early to lower elevations and geese were already flocking over a month ago, and most of the songbirds headed south early this year (although the last osprey didn't leave until early September). Hung what was probably the last load of laundry on the clothesline yesterday.

Finally re-lit the furnace :( Good-bye summer. Time to put away the camping gear and lawn sprinklers, and dig out the snow boots and flannel pajamas. Time to winterize - the house, the car, the dog kennels...